Retail - Vocational Instructor (VI) - Retail Outlet - Serving Thyme - HMP Ford

At HMP Ford, we operate a public-facing café and retail shop, open seven days a week. This role offers a rare and exciting opportunity for a proactive and committed individual to deliver high-quality retail and customer service in a rehabilitative environment.

Role Overview

The postholder will be responsible for the day to day management and development of the retail shop, and providing support to the café when required. This varied role combines retail management, partnership working, and the training and supervision of prisoners to support their development and employability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal prison workshops that make items for the shop
• Identify and source new local products to enhance the retail offer and maximise income opportunities
• Supervise and manage prisoner workers within the retail environment, ensuring a safe, productive, and professional workplace
• Deliver training and support to prisoners to develop their retail, customer service, and employability skills
• Manage stock control processes, including stock rotation, inventory checks, and loss prevention
• Undertake ordering and maintain effective relationships with suppliers
• Contribute to marketing and promotional activities, including social media, to increase footfall and sales

The Ideal Candidate

You are an organised and motivated individual with experience in retail operations and an interest in supporting rehabilitation through skills development. You should be able to work independently, build effective working relationships, and communicate confidently with a range of stakeholders. A flexible approach is essential, as the role involves supporting both retail and café operations.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Hybrid working may be offered where business needs allow, combining base location, MoJ sites, and/or home. This role can only be worked in the UK.

Benefits

• 9 days of bank, public and privilege holidays added to annual leave.
• Choice of two Civil Service pension schemes.
• Season ticket advance after two months' service.
• Flexible working subject to business needs and policy.
• Training and development opportunities in equality, diversity, behaviour management, and crime prevention.

Disability Confident Employer

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, making adjustments throughout the recruitment process and workplace. Reasonable adjustments may be requested within the application form.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and eligible family members
• Turkey nationals and certain family members with right to work